Blasting-needle



(No Model.)

' R. B. PLATT.

BLASTING NEEDLE.

Patented Nov. 6, 1883.

INVENTOR Jlait BY Mg WITNESSES:

w kw? ATTORNEYS.

N PETFRS. Momhogrnpher, Wuhinflon, D. C.

UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH B. PLATT, OF ST. NICHOLAS, PENNSYLVANIA.

BLASTlNG-NEEDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming-part of Letters Patent No. 288,110, dated November6, 1888.

Application filed September '1, 1883. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RALPH B. PLATT, of St. Nicholas, in the county ofSchuylkill and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Blasting-Needles; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates to the art of blasting coal, rock, and similarmaterial; and it consists of a needle made with a copper tip or point toprevent striking fire, and with one or more holes through the oppositeend for cutting off the end of the squib or straws used in priming thecharge.

The accompanying drawing illustrates my invention by a side elevation.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the needle, made of any desired size and length, with its pointedend made of copper, as seen at B. At the upper or but-t end are one ormore holes, 0 O, bored square through, as shown.

D is the ring or handle-eye, by means of which the needle is withdrawn.In blasting, a squib made of paper or similar material is filled withpowder, (a straw is sometimes used,) one end of which is closed withsoap or similar material, forming a sort of bottom to prevent the powderfrom escaping. This end must be cut off before the squib or straw isinserted into the hole made by theneedle. This cutting off is usuallydone with the teeth of the operator; but when straws are used the teethsplit the straw, and frequently ruin it, causing much delay andconsequent loss. To avoid this diffieulty, the end of the straw isthrust through one of the holes (1, when by a slight downward pressurethe straw is cut off square and clean. These holes 0 O are of differentsizes, to fit straws of different diameters.

In blasting rock or coal the practice is to insert the needle in thecartridge, and then lamp earth or other suitable material around it inthe drill-hole. \Vhen the tampingis finished, the needle is drawn outand the squib inserted in its place. If that fails to ignite, the needlehas to be inserted anew, and in so doing there is liability of producinga prematur explosion by the iron or steel point striking fire by contactwith sulphur or spar contained in the rock or coal, either above orbelow the cartridge. \Vith a needle provided with a copper point such aresult cannot be produced.

The body of the needle is made of iron or steel, in order that it mayhave the requisite strength, rigidity, durability, and cheapness. Havingthus described my invention,I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent 1. As an improved article of manufacture, ablastingneedle having its upper end made of steel or iron, and providedwith a handleeye, D, and cutting-holes O 0, located in the shank, andhaving a copper point, B, as set forth.

2. A blasting-needle having one or more cutting-holes, C O, of differentdiameters, located in the shank, substantially as shown and described.

RALPH B. PLATT.

itnessesz SAMUEL PLATT, DAVID \VATKINs.

